In Her Words: Marion's Story

In Her WordsCandid profiles of strength told by the women of Northbridge

Throughout the month of March we have collaborated to celebrate Women’s History Month and the rich history of the amazing women living in our communities. Their candid stories are brimming over with love, happiness, passion, family values and the markings of individuals who have truly lived well and loved life.

What are the names of your parents and brothers and sisters? My parents were George and Pearl Grover, my mother’s name was Viola but she didn’t like it so she went by her middle name, Pearl. I was the oldest of 3 girls: Marion, Margery, and Rebecca- she was the youngest.

How did your parents choose your name? Does it have a special meaning? Did you have any nicknames? Everyone called me Mamie, I’m not sure why, just fooling around I guess!

When and where were you born? Wiscasset Maine, I was born on June 2, 1920

What kinds of things did your family do together when you were young? We used to have picnics more than anything else, and of course we looked forward to that. We used to go to camp on Sundays. I think the most fun was going to the Pictures (movies), we didn’t have a chance to do that very much.

What did you love to do with your friends? We were home most of the time, so we would play card games. We didn’t live right in town and if we went anywhere, we had to walk, so it was kind of hard. But we made it!

What schools did you attend? What were your favorite subjects? Wiscasset all through grammar and high school. I liked History. I liked that other people had advantages that I didn’t.

If married, what is/was your husband’s name? How did he propose? Fernald Bailey, but everyone called him “Fern” and his middle name was Roosevelt. We were in the same class in school, we graduated and it was then that he asked me if I’d like to get married.

What are the names of your children? Janet is my oldest, Lyle and Jay

What are some special memories you have about your children? I worried a lot about them because they had to walk to school quite a ways on Rt. 1. They didn’t have school buses so much as they do now. We had a cottage on Damarascotta Lake, and that’s where we’d go on weekends.

Where have you lived? I’ve always lived on Rt. 1 right outside Wiscasset until I got married, then we moved to Woolwich.

Have you had jobs? Who did you work for and what did you do? I worked for the telephone company, as a telephone operator. My mother was the head operator.

What are your hidden talents? I used to play my guitar. I guess everyone liked it, they were always after me to play programs. I also took art lessons for a while.

Do you have holiday traditions? What do you do for the holidays? We would go home to my mother or grandmother, we all got together on the holidays

What are some of your favorite things?Color-redFlower-rosesSong-I love country music, it’s my favoriteFood-baked beans, that’s a Saturday night thing

What are some personal experiences that have especially touched your heart? I used to enjoy singing and playing guitar, Country Music

What are your favorite things to do now? I love to go to eat at restaurants. I like to do crossword puzzles, I’m always trying to help other people. I like going to music concerts, especially when they are in the community!

What do you hope for your children and grandchildren? I hope they have a happy place in their life that they can look back and remember what we used to do.

What is your biggest piece of advice? Be kind to one another and be helpful

Sum your personality up in one word... Helpful

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